Soldiers wrap up Imua Dawn 2016 with a group photo at Sagamihara Depot, Kanagawa, Japan, June 25. Imua Dawn 2016 focused on maneuver support operations and enhancing cooperative capabilities in mobility, HADAR, NEO and sustainment support in the event of natural disasters and other crises that threaten public safety and health in the Pacific region.

KANAGAWA, Japan — Reserve and Guard Soldiers of the U.S. Pacific Command concluded operations and training of Exercise Imua Dawn 2016 at Sagamihara Depot, here, June 25.
Pioneered by the 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 9th Mission Support Command, Imua Dawn is a command post exercise that was designed for MEB’s. Focused on PACOM and U.S. Army Pacific Command forces, brigade and battalion level elements are challenged to perform a variety of critical collective tasks during different phases of the exercise.
Rapidly moving into its second iteration, Imua Dawn has transpired into a valuable exercise.
“We expanded our mission command, control and communication to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and noncombatant evacuation operations,” Col. Joseph A. Ricciardi, commander, 303rd MEB, said.
Imua Dawn 2016 was divided into two phases providing opportunities for U.S. and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members to train for potential real world events, better preparing them in supporting regional populations.
“We interacted with the JGSDF service members throughout the beginning phases of our operation,” said Ricciardi. “Their force was especially engaged and exercised right alongside of their U.S. Army Reserve counterparts.”

“The expectation was to instill confidence in leaders and Soldiers at all levels,” said Lt. Col. Frank E. Hopkins, deputy commander, 303rd MEB.
Sgt. Jeankey M. Ichiyama, culinary specialist, 303rd MEB, said the exercise provided a chance for her to be more engaged as a leader, as well as interactive with local contractors, working together to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for more than 345 personnel.
“This exercise has shown me the applications of my military specialty occupation and how it plays into being in a brigade support battalion,” explained Sgt. Ryan D. Sandberg, intelligence analyst, 63rd Bde. Support Battalion.
Participating units were provided the opportunity to operate and maneuver in a multi-functional, multi-echelon environment across live, virtual, constructive and gaming domains to achieve their commanders training objectives, while receiving practical scenarios, support and external evaluation by observer-controller-trainers.
“The exercise Expanded my technical proficiency and enhanced my experience compared to last year as I was provided more hands on training,” says 1st Lt. Cezar O. Papa, brigade strength manager, 303rd MEB.
“Having our equipment allowed us to troubleshoot any failures and maintain mission readiness,” Spc. Asena N. Scott, signal support specialist, 829th Signal Company, said.

“This exercise is a 360-degree assessment of our strengths, weaknesses, capabilities and force packages we bring to the maneuver battle space,” stated Ricciardi.
Training together, the U.S. military and JGSDF can further develop tactics, techniques, and procedures that are mutually beneficial and specific to force training requirements and regional needs.
Rcciardi and Hopkins said they look forward to the opportunities ahead and hope to continue working with JGSDF in future exercises to further strengthen their organizations that makes them more effective when operating in the PACOM area of operations.